^75 

rcm\ 

Sennets 


SERMON, 


OCT  1 2 '62 

33  3 1 


LILIf'ERBD  BEFORE  TBS 

MASSACHUSETTS  MISSIONART  SOCIETY, 


AT  THEIR 

ANNUAL  MEETING  IN  BOSTON, 

MAY  27,  1800. 


Br  NATHANIEL  EMMONS,  D.D. 

Paftor  of  the  Church  in  Franklin,  Maffachufetts. 


tUBllSHED  AT  THE  REQUEST  OF  THE  SOCIETY* 

To  which  is  added, 

An  ABSTRACT  of  the  PROCEEDINGS,  and 
FUND  of  the  SOCIETY  ; 

AND  AN 

ADDRESS  to  the  PUBLIC. 


Cfjarleflotott : 

Printed  and  Sold  by  SAMUEL  ETHERIDGE, 


1800. 


A SERMON. 


id.  CHRONICLES,  XV.  7. 

EE  YE  STRONG  THEREFORE , zir  iVOT  r0£/£ 

HANDS  BE  WEAK  : FOR  YOUR  WORK 
SHALL  BE  REWARDED . - 

There  was  fuch  a peculiar  and  intimate  con* 
nection  between  the  civil  and  religious  inflitu- 
tions  in  the  Hebrew  republic,  that  the  caufe  of 
religion  was  neceffarily  and  deeply  affected,  by 
both  the  good  and  bad  adminiftration  of  govern- 
ment. Hence  it  became  a proverb  in  Ifrael, 
te  When  the  righteous  are  in  authority,  the  peo- 
ple rejoice  : but  when  the  wicked  beareth  rule, 
the  people  mourn.”  Religion  never  failed  to 
flourifh  under  the  fmiles  and  patronage  of  wife 
and  pious  princes  ; nor,  on  the  other  hand,  did 
it  ever  fail  to  languifh  and  decay  under  the 
frowns  and  oppofition  of  unwife  and  wicked  rul- 
ers. This  in  fome  meafure  appeared,  while  the 
whole  houfe  of  Ifrael  were  happily  united  in  one 
civil  as  well  as  religions  community  ; but  it  hill 
more  clearly  appeared,  after  the  revolt  and  apof- 
tacy  of  the  ten  tribes.  In  the  days  of  Jofhua, 
Jfrael  was  holinefs  unto  the  Lord , and  the  firft  fruits  of 


I 

C 4 1 

his  increafe ; but  after  his  deceafe,  and  while  there 
was  no  king  in  Ifrael,  the  caufe  of  religion  vili- 
bly  decayed,  and  never  revived  until  the  days  of 
David  and  Solomon.  While  they  were  in  the 
adminiftration  of  government,  they  made  noble 
and  fuccefsful  exertions  to  promote  the  public 
worlhip  of  God,  and  diffufe  a fpirit  of  vital  piety 
among  all  dalles  of  people  : But  after  Reho- 
boam  the  fon  of  Solomon  and  Jereboam  the  fon 
of  Nabat  divided  the  nation,  religion  received 
a molt  fatal  blow.  In  the  kingdom  of  Ifrael  it 
was  greatly  corrupted  ; and  in  the  kingdom  of 
Judah  it  was  generally  neglected.  Rehoboam 
and  Abijah  were  both  unfriendly  to  the  caufe  of 
God,  and  did  much  to  obftruct  and  retard  its 
progrefs.  Accordingly,  when  Afa  afcended  the 
throne  of  Judah,  he  found  religion  in  a low  and 
languifhing  hate.  Iniquity  had  long  abounded , and 
the  love  of  many  had  waxen  cold.  But  this  deep 
declenlion,  inftead  of  weakening,  awakened  his 
holy  zeal,  to  revive  the  linking  caufe,  which 
lay  fo  near  his  pious  heart.  His  firft  fincere  and 
vigorous  efforts  in  favor  of  religion,  were  high- 
ly plealing  to  the  God  of  Ifrael,  who  fent  a Pro- 
phet on  purpofe  to  ftrengthen  his  refolution  and 
perfeverance  in  accomplilhing  the  good  defign, 
which  he  had  fo  nobly  conceived,  and  fo  fuccefs- 
fully  purfued.  This  is  the  agreeable  account, 
which  the  facred  hiltorian  gives  of  fome  of  the 
firft  ads  of  his  pious  and  profperous  reign.  “ So 
Abijah  llept  with  his  fathers,  and  Afa  his  fen 


C 5 ] 

reigned  in  his  {lead.  And  he  did  that  which  was 
right  and  good  in  the  eyes  of  the  Lord  his  God. 
For  he  took  away  the  altars  of  the  flrange  gods, 
and  the  high  places,  and  broke  down  the  images, 
and  cut  down  the  groves  : And  commanded  Judah 
tofeek  the  Lord  God  of  their  fathers,  and  to  do 
the  law  and  commandments.”  After  he  had 
proceeded  fo  far,  “ The  Spirit  of  God  came  upon 
Azariah  the  fon  of  Oded.  And  he  went  down 
to  meet  Afa,  and  faid  unto  him,  Hear  ye  me, 
Afa,  and  all  Judah  and  Benjamin  j the  Lord  is 
with  you,  while  ye  be  with  him  ; and  if  ye  feek 
him,  he  will  be  found  of  you  : but  if  ye  forfake 
him,  he  will  forfake  you.  Be  ye  ftrong  there- 
fore, and  let  not  your  hands  be  weak  : For 
your  work  {hall  be  rewarded.”  This  feafonable 
meflage  from  the  God  of  Ifrael,  gave  new  life 
and  vigor  to  Afa  and  all  his  pious  fubjeCts.  For 
it  is  added,  “ And  when  Afa  heard  thefc 
words,  ’and  the  prophefy  of  Oded  the  prophet, 
he  took  courage.  And  he  gathered  all  Judah  and 
Benjamin,  and  the  ftrangers  with  them  out 
of  Ephraim  and  Menafiah,  and  out  of  Simeon  : 
For  they  fell  to  him  out  of  Ifrael  in  abundance , when 
they  faw  that  the  Lord  his  God  was  with  him.” 
In  this  connection,  the#words  of  our  text  natural- 
ly fuggeft  this  animating  truth  to  our  prefect 
confideration  : 

That  the  friends  of  God  have  good  ground 
for  unfhaken  refolution  in  promoting  the  caufe 
of  religion. 


[ 6 3 

/ To  fet  this  fubjed  in  a proper  light,  I lhall  en- 
deavor to  fliovv, 

I.  That  refolution  is  neceffary  in  promoting 
the  caufe  of  religion. 

II.  That  the  friends  of  God  have  good 
ground  to  be  bold  and^  zealous  in  promoting 
fuch  a noble  and  important  defign. 

I.  Let  us  confider  the  neceffity  of  refolution 
in  promoting  the  caufe  of  religion. 

Resolution  is  the  effence  of  that  mental 
ftfength,  which  gives  energy  to  all  the  powers 
and  faculties  of  body  and  mind.  It  is  compof- 
ed  of  love,  zeal  and  confidence,  which  are  the 
moft  operative  affedions  of  the  human  heart. 
When  a man  has  conceived  a defign,  which 
engages  his  fupreme  affedion,  which  engrofies 
his  whole  attention,  and  which  he  firmly  be- 
lieves he  is  capable  of  executing,  he  then  feels  a 
ftrong  refolution  to  call  forth  all  his  latent  pow- 
ers into  vigorous  exercife,  to  accomplilh  the  ob- 
jed  of  his  wifhes.  Such  refolution  has  always 
had  a principal  influence  m effeding  all  the  great 
things,  which  have  ever  been  effeded  by  the 
men  of  the  world.  Equal  refolution,  though 
of  a different  kind,  is  no  lefs  neceffary  in  pro- 
moting the  caufe  of  religion,  than  in  promot- 
ing any  other  great  and  difficult  undertak- 
ing. Men  of  piety  may  have  time,  and  op- 


[ 7 ] 


portunity,  and  learning,  and  wealth,  and  powsr, 
and  influence,  to  promote  the  caufe  ot  truth, 
and  yet  never  exert  themfelves  in  this  great  and 
good  dclign,  unl^fs  they  poflefs  a firm  and  un- 
lhaken  relolution.  But  all  good  men,  who  have 
this  noble  quality,  are  properly  prepared  to 
ei'poufe  the  caufe  of  God,  amidft  a frowning 
world,  lienee  the  infpired  writers  unitedly  in- 
culcate refolution  as  the  principal  thing  necefla- 
ry,  in  order  to  fucceed  in  promoting  the  inter- 
efls  of  religion.  “ Be  ye  fhong  therefore,  and 
let  not  your  hands  be  weak,”  fays  the  prophet 
to  Afa  and  the  men  of  Judah,  who  were  engag- 
ed in  this  pious  and  important  work.  When 
Jchofhaphai  viflted  his  kingdom,  and  difeovered 
the  prevalence  of  vice  and  irreligion,  he  exhort- 
ed the  proper  reformers,  to  be  bold  and  zealous  in 
the  difeharge  of  their  difficult  duty.  “ Be- 
hold,” fays  he,  “ Amaziah  the  chief  prieft  is  over 
you  in  all  matters  of  the  Lord  ; alfo  the  Le- 
vites  fliall  be  officers  before  you.”  But  not- 
withftanding  all  this  aid  and  protection,  he  adds, 
“ Deal cour age oujly , and  the  Lord  fliall  be  with  the 
good.”  When  Shecaniah,  a bold  and  zealous 
friend  of  God,  urged  Ezra  the  prieft  to  efpoufe 
the  finking  caule  of  virtue  and  piety,  for  which, 
he  had  been  fervently  praying,  he  plainly  inti- 
mated, that  relolution  was  indifpenfably  necef- 
fary  to  effect  a religious  reformation.  te  Arife, 
for  this  matter  belongeth  unto  thee  ; we  alfo 
will  be  with  thee  : Be  of  good  courage  and  do 


C 8 ] 

Tf  we  now  turn  our  attention  to  thofe,  whom 
Cod  has  employed  as  eminent  inftruments  of 
building  up  his  kingdom,  we  {hall  find,  that  a 
bold  and  perfevering  fpirit  was  the  moft  prom- 
inent trait  in  their  character.  Though  Mofes 
was  a man  of  meeknefs,  yet  he  was  no  lefs  a 
man  of  firmnefs  and  refolution.  He  feared  not 
the  wrath  of  the  king,  nor  the  frowns  of  his 
court,  nor  the  murmurs  of  the  falfe  and  faint- 
hearted Ifraelites  ; but  boldly  purfued  the  caufe 
of  God,  in  defiance  to  the  united  oppofition  of 
all  the  enemies  of  the  church.  Elijah  difplayed 
peculiar  courage  and  zeal  in  appearing  on  the 
Lord’s  fide,  and  efpoufing  his  caufe,  at  a 
time  of  general,  and  as  he  thought,  of  univerfal 
deelenfion.  He  not  only  oppofed  and  confound- 
ed all  the  prophets  of  Baal  ; but  even  dared  to 
deliver  the  meflage  of  God  to  Ahab,  whom  he 
knew  had  been  feeking  his  life.  It  was  a firm 
and  unfhaken  refolution,  which  enabled  Nehe- 
miah  to  carry  On  and  accomplilh  the  work  of 
God  at  Jerufalem,  in  oppofition  to  all  the  in- 
trigues and  threats  of  Sanballat  and  Tobiah, 
and  their  numerous  confederates.  For,  be- 
ing admonilhed  to  confult  his  perfonal  fafety, 
he  nobly  replied,  c<  Should  fuch  a man  as  I flee  ?’* 
What  invincible  firmnefs  did  Daniel,  Shadrack, 
Mefhack,  and  Abednego  difcover,  when  they 
maintained  the  worfliip  and  glory  of  the  only 
true  God,  before  the  mouth  of  the  lions’  den, 
and  the  flames  of  the  burning  fiery  furnace  ? A 


[ 9 ] 

A bold  and  undaunted  fpirit  was  the  moft  ftrik- 
ing  lineament  in  the  character  of  John  the  Bap- 
tift,  who  was  fent  as  a pioneer,  to  prepare  the  way 
of  the  Lord.  The  meek  and  lowly  Jefus  him- 
felf  was  the  lion  of  the  tribe  of  Judah.  He 
fpake  with  a courage  and  boldnefs,  with  which 
never  man  fpake.  His  undaunted  refolution, 
in  purging  the  temple,  furprifed  even  his  difci- 
ples,  until  they  recolle&ed  it  was  written,  “ The 
zeal  of  thine  houfe  hath  eaten  me  up.”  The 
holy  apoftles  imbibed  the  bold  and  zealous  fpirit 
of  their  Divine  Maker,  which  rendered  them 
fuperior  to  all  oppofition,  in  fpreading  the  gof- 
pcl  among  both  Jews  and  Gentiles.  This  the 
enemies  of  truth  moll  fenftbly  felt,  and  moft  ex- 
plicitly acknowledged.  For  we  are  told,  “ When 
they  faw  the  boldnefs  of  Peter  and  John, — they 
took  knowledge  of  them,  that  they  had  been  with 
Jefus . And  when  thefe  two  apoftles  were 

arrefted  in  their  work,  they  bid  defiance  to 
the  threats  of  their  malignant  oppofers,  and 
made  this  folemn  appeal  to  their  confciences  : 
« Whether  it  be  right  in  the  fight  of  God  to 
hearken  unto  you  more  than  unto  God,  judge 
ye.  For  we  cannot  but  fpeak  the  things  which 
we  have  feen  and  heard.”  Paul,  that  chofcn. 
velfel  to  bear  the  mefiages  of  grace  to  thefe  fit- 
ting in  the  region  of  the  fhadow  of  death,  was  a 
man  of  aftonilhing  refolution  and  zeal.  He 
dared  the  dangers  of  the  fea,  anH  the  perils  of 
the  wildernefs.  He  attacked  the  falie  religion 

B 


C 10  ] 

and  vain  philosophy  of  pagan  priefts  and  morah 
ills.  He  regarded  not  the  terror  of  tyrants,  nor 
the  rage  and  violence  of  perfecutors  ; but  bold- 
ly declared  the  whole  counfel  of  God.  And 
though  his  friends  frequently  advifed  him  to 
avoid  the  dangers  and  evils,  to  which  he  expos- 
ed himfelf  in  the  caufe  of  Christ  ; yet  his  per- 
fevering  zeal  and  refolution  would  not  fuffer 
him  to  defert,  nor  neglect  the  benevolent  de- 
fign,  which  he  had  determined,  at  all  hazards, 
to  purfue.  Hear  his  bold  and  undaunted  lan- 
guage. “ Behold,  I go  bound  in  fpirit  unto  Je- 
rufalem,  not  knowing  the  things  that  {hall  befal 
me  there  : Save  that  the  Holy  Ghoft  witneffeth  in 
every  city,  that  bonds  and  afflictions  abide  me. 
But  none  cf  thefe  things  move  me,  neither 
count  I my  life  dear  unto  myfelf,  fo  that  I might 
finifh  my  courfe  with  joy,  and  miniftry  which  I 
have  received  of  the  Lord  Jesus,  to  teftify  the 
gofpel  of  the  grace  of  God.”  Luther  was  raif- 
ed  up  to  purge  away  the  errors  and  delufions  of 
the  Church  of  Rome,  and  to  fpread  the  pure 
truths  of  the  gofpel  through  many  of  the  ftates 
and  kingdoms  of  Europe.  This  was  a molt  ar- 
duous and  dangerous  talk  ; accordingly  to  fit 
him  for  his  work,  God  infpired  him  with  a bold 
enterprifing,  unconquerable  fpirit.  This  ani- 
mated and  fupported  him,  amidft  the  greatcft 
labors  and  contefts,  that  have  ever  perhaps  fall- 
en to  the  lot  of  any  individual,  fince  the  days  of 
the  apoftles.  As  Calvin  ftood  next  to  Luther  in 


£ i*  3 

f * a.  A 

propagating  truth  in  oppofition  to  error  j fo 
next  to  that  great  reformer,  he  pofleffed  the 
largeft  fhare  of  genuine  refolution  and  fortitude. 
But  though  Zuinglius  was  a man  of  more  pene- 
tration and  knowledge,  and  commanded  a more 
elegant  and  perfuafive  pen,  than  either  Luther 
or  Calvin  j yet,  by  his  great  timidity  and  irrefo- 
lution,  he  often  injured  the  glorious  caufe,  which 
he  fincerely  wifhed  to  promote.  Thus  it  appears 
from  the  experience  of  ages,  as  well  as  from  the 
teftimony  of  feripture,  that  a pious  and  perfever- 
ing  refolution  is  indifpenfably  neceffary,  in  or- 
der to  propagate  the  gofpel,  and  build  up  the 
kingdom  of  Christ  in  the  world.  I now  pro- 
ceed to  Ihow, 

II.  That  the  friends  of  God  have  good 
ground  for  fuch  unfhaken  refolution,  in  pro- 
moting fuch  a great  and  good  defign.  The  pre- 
cept in  the  text  is  connected  with  an  animat- 
ing promife.  “ Be  ye  ftrong  therefore,  and  let 
not  your  hands  be  weak  : For  your  work  fhall 
be  rew'arded.”  Here  I fhall  mention  a few  of 
the  weighty  motives  to  bold  and  vigorous  exer- 
tions in  the  caufe  of  religion. 

i.  The  friends  of  God  have  often  been  fuc- 
ceeded  in  their  hncere  attempts  to  promote  his 
glory  in  the  converlion  of  finners.  He  has  been 
pleafed  to  allow  them  the  privilege  of  being 
workers  together  with  him,  in  firengthening  and 


[ >*  3 

enlarging  his  fpiritual  kingdom.  This  privilege 
they  have  fometimes  zealoufly  improved,  when 
they  faw  religion  was  declining,  and  multitudes 
of  Tinners  were  perifliing  in  their  fins.  At  fuch  a 
time,  Afa  fet  himfelf  to  revive  the  finking  caufe 
of  God.  He  firft  prepared  the  way,  by  removing 
the  obftacles  which  flood  oppofed  to  his  pious 
defign  ; and  then  ufed  the  proper  means  to 
awaken  the  attention  of  his  fubjects  to  the  things 
which  belonged  to  their  everlafling  peace.  In 
this  arduous  work  he  perfifted  for  years,  and 
happily  fucceeded  in  attaining  the  object  of  his 
defires,  his  prayers,  and  exertions.  His  fon  Je- 
holhaphat  followed  his  good  example,  and  car- 
ried on  the  work,  which  his  father  had  fuccefs- 
fully  begun.  After  feveral  wicked  princes  had 
reigned  over  Judah,  Jehoiada  the  pried,  in  the 
minority  of  Joafh,  ftrengthened  the  things  that 
remained  and  were  ready  to  die,  and,  by  his 
vigorous  exertions,  brought  about  a great  refor- 
mation in  religion.  You  remember,  that  Heze- 
kiah,  Jofiah,  Ezra,  and  Nehemiah,  were  firm 
and  faithful  friends  of  God  ; and  every  attempt 
they  made  to  promote  his  caufe  was  crowned 
with  fignal  fuccefs.  I might  mention  the  apof. 
tles,  Luther  and  Calvin,  David  Brainard  and  ma- 
ny other  mifilonaries,  who  have  done  much  to 
fpread  the  favor  of  Christ’s  name  among  both 
their  own  countrymen  and  heathens.  ' So  many 
inftances  of  fuccefs  in  fo  many  ages  and  ^ parts  of 
the  world,  in  promoting  the  caufe  of  religion, 


[ *3  3 


clearly  demonftrate  that  the  work,  though  at- 
tended with  great  and  innumerable  difficulties, 
is  really  practicable.  And  this  practicability  af- 
fords a folid  ground  of  encouragement,  in  un- 
dertaking and  purfuing  the  benevolent  defign. 
There  is  fomething  extremely  animating  in  the 
profpeCt  of  fuccefs.  It  always  infpires  the  mind 
with  irrefutable  zeal  and  fortitude  in  feeking  a 
defirablc  objeCt.  This  alluring  motive,  God,  in 
his  providence,  holds  up  to  the  view  of  his 
friends,  who  are  fincerely  engaged  to  promote 
his  caufe. 

2.  The  promotion  of  religion  is  fuch  a noble 
and  laudable  defign,  that  it  is  even  glorious  to 
fail  in  the  attempt.  In  all  great  and  difficult 
undertakings,  there  is  always  more  or  lefs  dan- 
ger of  being  eventually  difappointed.  It  is  not 
in  man  to  command  fuccefs,  even  in  his  moft 
lawful  and  benevolent  purfuits.  The  men  of  the 
world  are  often  fruftrated  in  accompiilhing  their 
v.'ifeft  and  beft  concerted  defigns.  A.nd  the 
friends  of  God  have  not  unfrequently  been  dif- 
appointed in  their  pious  efforts  to  fpread  the 
knowledge  of  truth  and  promote  the  interefts  of 
religion.  Many  focieties  formed  for  this  benev- 
olent purpofe,  have  failed  of  anfwering  their 
own  and  the  public  expectation.  But  in  all  cafes, 
in  which  the  failure  has  not  been  owing,  either 
to  the  negligence,  or  the  unfaithfulnefs,  or  the 
defpondency  of  thofe  employed,  in  concerting 


£ *4  1 

and  executing  the  defign,  their  attempts  have 
always  met  with  general  approbation  and  ap- 
plaufe.  Melvill  Horne  appears  amiable  and  re- 
fpe&able,  notwithftanding  his  want  of  fuccefs  in 
his  million,  and  notwithftanding  his  own  ac- 
knowledged timidity  and  irrefolution.  Some  of 
the  more  ancient  promoters  of  religion,  by  their 
bold,  though  unfuccefsful  attempts,  endeared 
their  names  to  future  ages.  At  a time  of  great 
degeneracy  in  Judah,  “ The  fpirit  of  God  came 
upon  Zechariah  the  fon  of  Jehoiada  the  prieft, 
who  flood  above  the  people,  and  faid  unto  them. 
Thus  faith  God,  why  tranfgrefs  ye  the  com- 
mandments of  the  Lord,  that  ye  cannot  pros- 
per : Becaufe  ye  have  forfaken  the  Lord,  he 
hath  alfo  forfaken  you.  And  they  confpired 
againft  him,  and  floned  him  with  ftones  at 
the  commandment  of  the  king,  in  the  court 
of  the  houfe  of  the  Lord.”  This  bold  and 
fincere  attempt  to  promote  the  reformation 
and  falvation  of  finners,  though  it  failed  of 
defired  fuccefs,  finally  reflected  peculiar  honor 
upon  the  name  of  Zechariah.  For,  when  Christ 
told  the  Jews,  that  the  blood  of  all  the  prophets 
fhould  be  required  at  their  hands,  he  mentioned 
in  particular  “ the  blood  of  Zacharias,  whom 
they  flew  between  the  temple  and  the  altar.” 
Christ  himfelf  labored  in  vain  and  fpent  his 
ftrength  for  naught,  in  preaching  the  gofpel 
to  the  Jews  ; but  though  Ifrael  were  not 
gathered,  yet  he  was  glorious  in  the  eyes  of  his 


[ J5  1 

Father.  The  apoftles  pl  eached  the  fame  gofpcl 
in  many  places,  with  little  or  no  fuccefs  ; but 
yet  they  were  a fweet  favor  of  Christ  in  them 
that  perifihed,  as  well  as  in  them  that  were  faved. 
John  Wickliff  was  unfuqcefsful  in  the  fame 
work  in  which  Luther  fucceeded  ; but  yet  his 
noble,  though  unfuccefsful  exertions,  have  ren- 
dered his  name  illuftrious  through  all  the  pro- 
teftant  nations.  If  good  men  fiiould  fail  of 
fpreading  the  gofpel  to  the  extent  of  their  de- 
fires and  expectations  j yet  their  fincere  and 
vigorous  attempts  fhall  meet  the  juft  approba- 
tion of  both  God  and  man.  Some  feem  to  be 
backward,  to  engage  in  this  work,  for  fear  they 
{hall  not  fucceed.  They  imagine  they  fee  a lion 
in  the  way  ; but  fuppofing  there  Ihould  be  a li- 
on in  the  way,  or  fuppofing  the  worft  that  can 
be  fuppofed,  that  fome  unforefeen  obftacles  Ihall 
arife,  which  cannot  be  furmounted,  it  will  be 
glorious  to  fail,  after  they  have  done  all  that 
was  in  their  power  to  do.’  This  the  friends 
of  God  ought  to  confider  as  a folid  foun- 
dation for  fortitude  and  zeal,  in  undertaking 
and  profecuting  fuch  a noble  and  laudable  de- 
fign,  in  which  they  have  nothing  to  lofe,  but 
much  to  gain,  by  their  moft  zealous  and  bold 
attempts. 

3.  Those,  who  efpoufe  the  caufe  of  religion, 
have  reafon  to  expeCl  the  peculiar  prefence  and 
afiiftance  of  God  in  their  pious  exertions.  The 
caufe  of  religion  is  emphatically  the  caufe  of 


/ 


[ 16  ] 

God,  in  the  promotion  of  which  his  heart  is 
wholly  engaged.  The  zeal  of  the  Lord  of  liofts 
centres  in  the  execution  of  his  purpofe  of  grace 
towards  this  fallen  world.  For  the  attainment 
of  this  grand  object,  he  is  conftantly  employing 
every  creature,  and  directing  every  event,  in  the 
univerfe.  ] While  any  of  his  friends,  therefore, 
feel  his  fpirit  and  heartily  efpoufe  his  caufe,  he 
mult  be  pleafed  with  the  motives  of  their  con- 
dud,  and  afford  them  all  the  protection  and  af- 
fiftance  which  they  need,  in  doing  their  part,  to 
promote  his  gracious  defign.  Accordingly  we 
find  exprefs  promifes  of  his  prefence  with  thofe, 
who  fincerely  endeavor  to  promote  his  caufe.  He 
directed  Azariah  to  tell  Afa  and  the  men  of  Ju- 
dah in  his  name,  “ The  Lord  is  with  you , while 
ye  be  with  him.”  He  engaged  to  aflift  and  pro- 
tect Jeremiah,  while  pleading  his  caufe,  in  the 
midft  of  the  moft  formidable  oppofition.  “ Thou 
therefore  gird  up  thy  loins,  and  arife,  and  fpeak 
unto  them  all  that  I command  thee  : Be  not 
difmayed  at  their  faces' : Left  I confound  thee 
before  them.  For  behold,  I have  made  thee 
this  day,  a defenced  city,  and  iron  pillar,  and 
brazen  walls  againft  the  whole  land,  againft  the 
kings  of  Judah,  againft  the  princes  thereof, 
againft  the  priefts  thereof,  and  againft  the  peo- 
ple of  the  land.  And  they  fhall  fight  againft 
thee,  but  they  fliall  not  prevail  againft  \hct,for 
I am  with  the; , faith  the  Lord , to  deliver  thee.” 
Ezekiel  tells  us,  that  God  gave  him  a fimilar 


[ >7  ] 


promife  in  a ftmilar  cafe.  “ And  he  faid  unto 
me,  fon  of  man,  go,  get  thee  unto  the  houfe  of 
Ifrael,  and  fpcak  my  words  unto  them.  Behold, 
I have  made  thy  face  ftrong  againft  their  faces, 
and  thy  forehead  ftrong  againft  their  foreheads. 
As  an  adamant,  harder  than  flint,  have  I made 
thy  forehead  ; fear  them  not,  neither  be  dif- 
mayed  at  their  looks,  though  they  be  a rebell- 
ious houfe.”  The  command,  which  Christ  has 
laid  upon  all  his  faithful  minifters  to  fpread  the 
gofpel,  is  enforced  by  a promife  of  his  continual 
prefence.  “ Go  ye  therefore  and  teach  all  na- 
tions, baptizing  them  in  the  name  of  the  Father, 
and  of  the  Son,  and  of  the  Holy  Ghoft  ; teach- 
ing them  to  obferve  all  things  whatfoever  1 have 
commanded  you.  And  lo , I am  with  you  alway 
even  unto  the  end  of  the  world.”  (Such  peculiar 
promifes  of  divine  fupport,  protettion,  and  af- 
ftftance,  apply  to  all  thofe,  who  are  heartily  en- 
gaged to  fpread  the  knowledge  and  bleflings  of 
the  gofpel  among  the  perifliing  children  of  men, 
and  are  defigned  to  infpire  them  with  refolu- 
tion  and  zeal  in  the  great  undertaking.  Every 
fincere  chriftian,  every  faithful  minifter,  every 
pious  and  zealous  miflionary,  may  adopt  the 
language  of  the  apoftle,  and  fay,  “ I can  do  all 
things  through  Christ  which  ftrengtheneth 
me.”  Whofe  hearts  and  hands,  therefore,  muft 
not  be  ftrong,  while  they  are  fincerely  engaged 
in  that  work,  which  they  know  is  highly  pleaf- 
ing  to  Christ,  and  in  the  performance  of  which, 
c 


[ 1 8 ] 


they  have  juft  ground  to  expect  his  promifed 
prefence  and  protection  ? Efpecially  when  they 
conftder, 

4.  That  their  benevolent  defires  and  exer- 
tions to  advance  the  interefts  of  religion,  fliall 
certainly  be  attended  with  the  approbation  and 
prayers  of  all  good  men.  Thefe  have  univerfal- 
ly  imbibed  one  fpirit,  and  heartily  defire  the 
profperity  of  Zion.  Here  the  diitin&ion  of  dif- 
ferent denominations  ceafes  to  operate,  and  ad- 
mits an  entire  union  in  fentiment  and  feeling. 
Good  men,  in  whatever  denomination  of  chrift- 
ians  they  are  found,  unitedly  feek  the  fpread  of 
the  gofpel  and  the  prevalence  of  religion.  And 
though  they  may  differ  in  opinion,  refpecling 
particular  meafures  to  promote  the  common 
caufe  of  chriftianity  ; yet  they  really  unite  in 
the  general  object,  and  fincerely  pray,  that  it 
may  be  eventually  obtained.  f They  feel  the  fpi- 
rit of  Paul,  who  faid,  “ Some  indeed  preach 
Christ  even  of  envy  and  ftrife  j and  fome  alfo 
of  good  will.  What  then  ? Notwithftanding 
every  way,  whether  in  pretence,  or  in  truth, 
Christ  is  preached ; and  I therein  do  rejoice,  yea, 
and  will  rejoice.”  The  friends  of  God  univer- 
fally  wifh  well  to,  and  heartily  pray  for  tliofe, 
who  are  lincerely  engaged  in  fpreading  the  gof- 
pel, and  promoting  the  falvation  of  ftnners.  A- 
greeably  to  the  direction  of  Christ,  they  daily 
offer  up  their  defires  to  God  in  that  compre- 


[ *9  ] 


henfive  petition,  “ Thy  kingdom  come.”  And 
whenever  they  fee  any  fuccefsfully  employed  in 
building  up  this  kingdom,  they  naturally  join 
with  and  alfilt  them  in  the  good  work.  We 
have  a Itriking  inftance  of  this  in  the  context. 
Though  the  ten  tribes  had  generally  revolted 
from  the  true  God,  yet  there  were  fome  pious 
men  among  them  ; and  thefe  united  heart  and 
hand  with  Ala  the  king  of  Judah,  in  promoting 
the  caufe  of  true  religion.  Accordingly  it  is 
faid,  “ They  fell  to  him  cut  of  Ifrael  in  abundance , 
•when  they  faiv  that  the  Lodd  his  God  was  with 
him.”  The  fincere  and  fuccefsful  promoters  of 
religion  will  always  have  the  approbation  and 
prayers,  and  in  that  way  at  lead,  the  concur- 
rence and  afliftance  of  all  good  men.  This,  in- 
deed, makes  them  really  ftrong  ; and  ftrength  is 
a peculiar  fource  of  refolution  and  zeal.  Befides, 

^5.  They  are  equally  fur e of  the  efteem  and 
affection  of  all  thofe,  whom  they  lhall  be  inftru- 
mental  of  converting.  Though  men  are  natural- 
ly averfe  from  being  awakened,  convinced  and 
converted  ; yet  after  they  have  become  reconcil- 
ed to  God,  they  never  fail  to  feel  a peculiar  af- 
fection for  thofe  whom  they  view  as  inftrument- 
al  of  their  fpiritual  and  eternal  good.  Paul 
bears  teftimony  to  the  ardent  affection,  which 
fome  of  his  hearers  had  felt  towards  him,  whom 
they  had  viewed  as  the  inftrument,  under  Goe, 
of  their  favins:  converfion.  “ I bear  you  record, 

o J 


[ 20  ] 

that  if  it  had  been  poffible,  ye  would  have 
plucked  out  your  own  eyes,  and  have  given 
them  to  me.”  How  much  have  faithful  and  fuc- 
cefsful  miffionaries  been  beloved  and  carefied, 
by  thofe  to  whom  they  have  carried  the  gofpel, 
which  turned  them  from  darknefs  to  light,  and 
from  the  power  of  Satan  unto  God  ? No  men  in 
Judah  were  more  fincerely  efteemed  and  venerat- 
ed, than  Afa,  Jehoiada,  Hezekiah,  and  Jofiah, 
who  were  the  happy  inftruments  of  reforming 
and  converting  fmners.  If  men  are  faithful 
and  fuccefsful  in  feeking  the  falvation  of  fouls, 
they  will  not  only  deferve,  but  receive  the  grat- 
itude and  efteem  of  thofe,  whom  they  are  the 
means  of  bringing  home  to  God.  This  confid- 
eration  may  well  fupport  and  animate  them,  in 
fuffering  all  the  reproach  and  oppofition  they 
may  meet  with,  in  fpreading  the  gofpel,  and  tak- 
ing the  fubjedts  of  the  prince  of  darknefs  out  of 
his  hands.  I muft  add, 

6.  That  all  the  fincere  endeavors  and  extra- 
ordinary exertions  in  favor  of  religion,  {hall 
finally  meet  a glorious  recompenfe  of  reward. 
God  has  promifed  to  reward  men  for  the  faith- 
ful improvement  of  all  their  talents.  And  what 
better  ufe  can  they  make  of  the  bleflings  of  prov- 
idence, than  to  employ  them  in  building  up  the 
kingdom  of  God  ? This  is  the  moft  important 
defign  carrying  on  in  this  world,  and  even  in 
any  part  of  the  univerfe  j and,  therefore,  to  be 


[ 21  ] 

inftrumental  in  promoting  this,  is  to  do  the 
greateft  good,  which  lies  in  the  power  of  man  to 
do.  No  perfon  can  employ  his  time,  his  inter- 
eft,  his  knowledge,  and  all  the  weight  of  his 
character,  to  a better  purpofe,  than  that  of 
fpreading  the  gofpel,  and  promoting  the  eternal 
interefts  of  his  fellow  men  ; and  there  is  no 
other  way,  in  which  he  can  fecure  a more  am- 
ple reward,  in  the  great  day  of  retribution. 

But  befide  the  parable  of  the  talents,  we  find 
particular  promifes  to  thofe,  who  make  pecu- 
liar exertions  to  build  up  Zion.  Such  is  the 
promife  in  the  text.  “ Be  ye  ftrong  therefore, 
and  let  not  your  hands  be  weak  : For  your 
work  lhall  be  rewarded.”  The  fame  idea  is 
fuggefted  by  the  apoftle  James.  **  Brethren,  if 
any  of  you  do  err  from  the  truth,  and  one  con- 
vert him  ; let  him  know,  that  he  who  convert- 
ed a finner  from  the  error  of  his  way,  lhall  fave 
a foul  from  death,  and  hide  a multitude  of  fins.” 
The  apoftle  Paul  fays  to  chriftians  in  general, 
“ Be  ye  ftedfaft,  unmovable,  always  abounding 
in  the  work  of  the  Lord,  forafmuch  as  ye  know 
that  your  labor  Jhall  not  be  in  vain  in  the  Lord.” 
And  the  prophet  exprefsly  declares,  “ They  that 
be  wife  lhall  Urine  as  the  brightnefs  of  the  firma- 

O 

ment ; and  they  that  turn  many  to  righteoufnefs, 
as  the  ftars  forever  and  ever.”  Thefe  prom- 
ifes of  a glorious  recompenfe  in  a future  ftate, 
ought  to  animate  good  men  at  this  day,  as  they 


[ 2*  3 

animated  Mofes,  the  prophets,  the  apoflles,  and 
even  Christ  himfelf,  to  the  moft  bold  and  vig- 
orous exertions  in  the  caufe  of  religion. 

It  now  remains  to  improve  and  apply  the  fub* 
jeft,  with  proper  freedom  and  plainnefs. 

In  the  firft  place,  it  is  natural  to  conclude 
from  what  has  been  faid,  that  the  friends  of 
God  have  been  very,  negligent  in  promoting  his 
caufe  in  the  worlds  When  a man,  merely  for 
the  want  of  refolution,  does  not  perform  any 
important  work,  which  belongs  to  him  to  per- 
form, and  which  he  has  time,  opportunity,  and 
abilities  to  perform,  we  never  fcruple  to  fay, 
that  he  is  guilty  of  negligence.  < It  is  certainly  the 
proper  bufmefe  of  the  friends  of  God  to  pro- 
mote his  caufe.,  He  formed  them  veffels  of  mer- 
cy for  his  own  ufe.  He  called  them  out  of  dark- 
nefs  into  marvellous  light,  that  they  might  be 
Ci  the  light  of  the  world,  and  the  fait  of  the 
earth.”  And  he  has  commanded  them  to  feek 
the  intereft  of  his  kingdom  above  every  other 
objeft.  It  is,  therefore,  their  appropriate  and 
important  bufinefs,  to  promote  the  caufe  of 
religion.  And  it  muft  be  acknowledged,  that 
they  have  long  had  time,  opportunity,  and 
ability,  to  perform  the  duty  devolved  upon 
them.  But  have  they  been  faithful  ? Are  there 
not  many  indubitable  marks  of  their  negli- 
gence ? Does  not  the  ianguilhing  (late  of  relig- 
ion, bear  teftimony  to  their  timidity  and  indo- 
lence ? Had  they  been  bold,  and  zealous,  and 


[ 23  3 

a&ive  in  the  caufe  of  God,  would  there  have  been 
fo  many  of  the  human  race,  at  this  day,  involv- 
ed in  *Jewilh,  Pagan,  Mahometan,  and  Papal 
darknefs  ? (Have  there  not  been  chriftians  in 
Afia  ? Why  then  has  Alia  been  fo  long  perill- 
ing for  the  want  of  gofpel  light  ? Have  there 
not  been  chriftians  in  Africa  ? Why  then  has 
Africa  been  l'o  long  perilhing  for  the  want  of 
chriftian  knowledge  ? Have  there  not  been  chrift- 
ians in  Europe  ? are  there  not  many  there  ftill  ? 
Why  then  is  fo  great  a part  of  that  quarter  of 
the  world  ftill  ignorant  of  the  pure  doctrines  of 
the  gofpel  ? Has  there  not  long  been  a fucceffion 
of  pious  men  in  America  ? Why  then  are  there 
fo  many  of  the  aboriginals  ftill  perilhing  in  their 
native  barbarity  and  ignorance  ? Have  we  not 
many  godly  minifters  in  thefe  United  States  ? 
Why  then  are  there  fo  many  declining  churches, 
fo  many  deftitute  congregations,  and  fo  many 
individuals  abandoned  to  vice,  irreligion,  and 
infidelity  ? 

f 

These  are  plain  indications  of  negligence  in 
the  friends  of  God,  for  years,  if  not  for  ages 
paft.  /Had  chriftians  in  every  age  poflefled  the 
fpirit  of  the  apoftles  and  the  primitive  believers, 
what  great  things  would  they  have  done  to 
promote  the  caufe  of  Chp.ist  ? Or  had  they 
been  as  wife  as  the  men  of  the  world,  and  as 
zealous  to  promote  the  falvation  of  others,  as 
finners  are  to  promote  their  temporal  interefts, 
the  gofpel  would  have  long  fince  been  carried  to 


[ 24  ] 

the  ends  of  the  earth.  / Or,  indeed,  if  the  fame 
zealous,  bold,  and  undaunted  fpirit,  which  has 
lately  fired  the  breafts  of  chriftians  in  Europe 
and  America,  had  fired  their  breafts  but  a few 
years  ago,  the  face  of  religion  would  have  un- 
doubtedly appeared,  at  this  time,  unfpeakably 
different.  | Nothing  has  been  wanting,  fince  the 
revival  of  learning,  the  invention  of  printing, 
and  the  difcovery  of  the  magnet,  to  prevent  the 
univerfal  fpread  of  the  gofpel,  but  merely  chrift- 
ian  refolution  and  zeal.  This  long  and  great 
negligence  calls  for  the  humiliation  of  chriftians 
in  general,  and  efpecially  of  chri Ilian  minifters 
and  magiftrates,  who  ought  to  have  been  the 
firft  in  zeal  and  refolution  to  promote  the  caufe 
of  Chrisx  and  the  fpread  of  the  gofpel.  The 
world  now  looks  like  the  field  of  the  flug- 
gard,  becaufe  chriftians,  like  the  fluggard,  have 
been  crying,  ec  A little  fleep,  a little  {lumber,  a 
little  folding  of  the  hands  to  fleep.”  The  pre- 
fent  melancholy  ftate  of  chriftianity  throughout 
the  world,  reproaches  ail  its  friends  for  their  paft 
irrefolution  and  negligence,  i 

The  next  thing  to  be  inferred  from  what  has 
been  faid  is,  that  none  will  ever  do  much  to 
forward  the  work  of  fpreading  the  gofpel,  with- 
out a large  fhare  of  chriftian  zeal  and  refolution. 
Men  may  be  pious  and  fincerely  wifli  well  to 
the  benevolent  defign,  and  yet  do  more  to  de- 
feat, than  to  accomplifh  it,  if  deftitute  of  a truly 
miflionary  fpirit.  In  order  to  carry  into  effcdl 


[ 25  ] 

fuch  a difficult  and  laborious  undertaking,  thoic, 
who  enter  upon  it,  muft  be  all  awake  and  alive 
to  the  important  objeft  before  them.  But  none 
will  feel  a proper  concern  for  others,  who  do  not 
feel  a proper  concern  for  themfelves.  None  will 
be  greatly  engaged  to  promote  religion  abroad, 
who  are  not  equally  engaged  to  promote  it  at 
home.  None  have  any  encouragement  to  em- 
bark in  the  adventurous  caufe  of  propagating  the 
gofpel,  unlefs  their  hearts  glow  with  love  to 
God,  and  a tender  concern  for  the  fouls  of  men. 
They  muft  be  weaned  from  the  world  ; they 
muft  be  ftripped  of  mercenary  motives  ; they 
muft  be  willing  to  deny  themfelves  and  take  up 
the  crofs  ; before  they  can  poflefs  that  firm  and 
perfevering  refolution,  which  is  neceflary  to  meet 
the  reproach  and  oppofition  to  be  expected,  in 
fpreading  a religion,  which  has  never  failed  to 
awaken  all  the  malignant  paflions  of  the  human 
heart.  They  muft  fit  down  and  count  the  coft, 
left,  after  having  put  their  hand  to  the  plough, 
they  fliould  look  back,  and  betray  the  caufe, 
which  they  engaged  to  befriend.  Why  have  at- 
tempts of  this  kind  fo  often  proved  abortive  ? 
Has  it  not  been  chiefly  owing  to  a worldly  fpirit , 
which  has  palfied  all  pious  refolution  and  zeal  ? 
And  who  can  expect  to  fpeed  better,  without  a 
better  fpirit  ? What  will  lifeiefs  meetings, 
what  Will  proper  refolutions,  what  will  verbal 
engagements  avail,  without  bold,  zealous,  per- 
severing exertions  ? No  perfon  is  properly  pre- 

D 


t *«  ] 

pared  to  be  a member,  and  much  lefs  to  be  a 
miffionary,  of  this  fociety,  who  has  not  a heart 
to  fpend  and  be  fpent  in  the  arduous  under- 
taking, and  to  meet  all  the  evils  and  embarraff- 
ments,  which  may  eventually  attend  it.  A cold 
heart,  a timid  mind,  a feeble  hand,  is  by  no 
means  fit  to  be  employed  in  a v/ork,  which  calls 
for  the  warmeft  zeal,  and  the  moft  vigorous  ex- 
ertions. 

But  fince  the  friends  of  God  have  fuch  good 
ground  for  unfhaken  refolution,  in  promoting 
the  caufe  of  religion,;  we  may  juftly  infer,  in  the 
laft  place,  that  it  is  not  yet  too  late  to  attempt 
the  propagation  of  the  gofpel  through  this  ex- 
tenfive  country.  Though  we  have  loft  much 
time,  and  neglected  many  favorable  opportuni- 
ties for  fuch  an  undertaking  ; though  an  awful 
ftupor  has  feized  the  minds  of  many  of  the  pro- 
feffed  friends  of  God  ; though  the  enemies  of 
religion  have,  within  a very  few  years,  greatly 
increafed  in  numbers  and  ftrength  ; though  they 
have  fet  every  engine  in  motion,  to  fpread  error, 
deifm,  and  even  atheifm,  through  every  corner 
of  our  land  ; though,  I fay,  all  thefe  obftacles 
ftare  us  in  the  face,  and  muft  be  overcome,  in  or- 
der to  propagate  the  gofpel  among  tliofe  who  are 
perifhing  for  the  want  of  it ; yet  it  may  not  be 
too  late  to  effect  the  difficult  and  important  de- 
fign.  \ Good  men,  as  well  as  bad,  are  able  to  do 
almoft  any  thing,  which  they  think  they  are  able 
to  do.  Difficulties  vanifh  before  refolution. 


C'  27  J 

There  never  was  fo  great  a dcclenfion  of  religion 
in  Judah,  but  that  a reformation  was  always  ef- 
fected, when  good  men  had  only  zeal  and  refo- 
lution  enough  to  attempt  it.  If  the  few  friends 
of  God  in  this  country,  therefore,  were  only 
awake,  united,  and  pofiefied  of  proper  zeal  and 
fortitude,  they  might,  under  the  divine  direc- 
tion and  influence,  put  a check  upon  the  prog- 
refs  of  vice  and  infidelity,  and  extend  the  lim- 
its of  the  Redeemer’s  kingdom  where  Satan  is 
now  reigning  without  control,  and  leading 
multitudes  of  poor,  deluded  creatures  to  eternal 
deftruflion.  Chriftianity  is  a caufe,  which  is 
deftined  to  prevail  ; and  which  is  deftined  to 
prevail,  by  the  blefling  Qf  God  on  human  exer- 
tions. 

This  we,  my  Brethren,  have  in  practice  pro- 
felled  to  believe,  by  uniting  for  the  purpofe  of 
fending  the  gofpel  to  thofe,  who  are  perifliing 
for  the  lack  of  vifion.  “ Let  us  be  ftrong  there- 
fore, and  let  not  our  hands  be  weak,”  for  we 
have  all  the  encouragement  defirable,  to  purfue 
with  vigor  and  fortitude  the  work,  which  we 
have  ferioufly  and  deliberately  undertaken. 
Though  we  and  others  have  too  long  neglected 
it,  and,  by  our  neglect,  given  rife  to  great  and 
formidable  difficulties  ; yet  thefe  mountains 
fliall  become  plains,  before  a pious,  bold,  mil- 
lionary fpirit.  It  has  been  God’s  ufual  method, 
to  arife  and  plead  his  own  caufe,  at  thofe  very 
times,  when  it  appeared  to  be  on  the  very  point 


[ 23  3 

of  extin&ion.  It  was  when  Jereboam  the  fon 
of  Nebat  had  made  Ifrael  to  fin,  and  well  nigh 
corrupted  the  whole  church  ; that  God  raifed 
up  Afa  and  others,  to  rekindle  the  dying,  glim- 
mering flame  of  religion.  It  was  when  the  two 
tribes  and  half  were  pining  away  in  their  ini- 
quities, and  refembled  the  valley  of  dry  bones, 
in  Babylon  ; that  God  awakened  the  zeal  and 
bleffed  the  exertions  of  his  friends,  to  bring 
about  their  converfion  and  deliverance.  It  was 
when  the  man  of  fin  had  defaced  and  nearly  de- 
ftroyed  the  chriftian  religion  ; that  God  raifed 
up  a conftellation  of  bold  and  zealous  men,  to 
efpoufe  and  fpread  his  finking  caufe.  : Hence  the 
late  extraordinary  efforts  in  Europe  and  America 
<e  to  crujh  the  wretch  ” or  to  ufe  a more  decent 
expreflion,  to  extinguifh  chrijlianity , afford  a ftrong 
ground  of  faith,  that  “ the  time,  yea,  the  fet 
time  to  favor  Zion,  is  come.”  For  it  has  been 
God’s  uniform  conduct,  when  the  enemy  came  in 
like  a flood  upon  his  people , to  fet  up  a ftandard 
againf  him.  And  we  are  happy  to  fay,  that  God 
has  already  begun  to  fet  up  his  ftandard  in  vari- 
ous parts  of  the  chriftian  world  j and  his  friends 
are  now  rallying  around  it,  with  uncommon 
zeal  and  refolution,  to  defend  and  promote  the 
intcrefts  of  his  kingdom.  An  unufual  mifliona- 
ry  fpirit  has  fpread  through  England,  Scotland, 
Ireland,  many  parts  of  Germany,  and  a num- 
ber of  the  United  States.  This  ought  to  ani- 
mate us , as  it  animated  the  directors  of  the 
miflionary  fociety  in  London.  Ln  one  of  their 


[ 29  ] 

communications  to  the  fociety,  they  fay,  “ From 
Germany,  and  a vafl  body  of  alfociated  mini!- 
ters  in  Lufatia,  aflembled  from  all  parts  cf 
Chriftendom,  we  have  received  the  ir.ofl  fraternal 
good  wijhes  for  the  accomplifhment  of  our  defigns, 
and  their  great  fatisfafiion  in  our  enterprife,  which 
has  vanned  and  Jlimulated  them  to  frelh  exer- 
tions ; while  they  cry  day  and  night  to  Con, 
for  our  fuccefs , from  the  Carpathian  mountains  to 
the  fnows  of  Norway.”  They  add,  “America, 
llirred  up  by  your  example,  has  caught  the  holy 
flame.  So  that  the  Lord  Jesus,  the  great  head 
of  the  church,  feems  to  be  awakening  a limilar 
fpirit,  throughout  all  places  cf  his  dominion.” 
There  is  yet  another  promifing  profpect  before 
us.  i In  the  laft  and  prefent  year,  there  has  been 
a more  extenflve  and  extraordinary  effufion  of 
the  divine  influence  in  many  parts  of  our  land, 
than  has  been  known  in  the  courfe  of  almoft  fix- 
ty  years.  God  is  now  vifibly  arifxng  to  plead 
his  own  caufe  ; and  fliall  we  not,  when  we  hear 
the  found  cf  his  goings , bejlir  ourfelves  to  promote 
the  profperity  of  Zion  ? Under  all  thefe  favor- 
able circumftances,  if  we  are  not  wanting  in  our 
zeal,  refolution,  and  exertions,  we  have  noth- 
ing to  fear  in  the  purfuit  of  our  great  and  in- 
terefting  object*. 

What  if  our  number  be  fmall  ? A fmall  num- 
ber firmly  united  in  fentiment  ar.d  zeal,  may  do 
wonders  in  promoting  the  caufe  of  Christ. 


L 30  ] 


This  has  been  demonftrated  by  thofe,  who  firft 
carried  the  gofpel  to  three  quarters  of  the  world. 

What  if  our  firft  and  feeble  efforts  ftiould 
meet  with  little  or  no  fuccefs  ? This,  inftead  of 
throwing  us  into  defpondency,  Ihould  ferve  to 
roufe  us  to  more  zealous  and  vigorous  exertions, 
in  fuch  a difficult  and  important  undertaking. 

What  if  our  pecuniary  refources  are  few,  and 
unprotected  by  legal  authority  ? There  is  no 
ground  of  difcouragement  on  this  account,  pro- 
vided we  are  only  faithful  and  fuccefsful  in  the 
difcharge  of  our  duty.  It  is  only  for  God  to 
beftow  his  grace  upon  our  churches,  as  he  did 
upon  the  churches  of  Macedonia,  and  our  church- 
es will  to  their  power,  yea,  beyond  their  power, 
abound  in  the  riches  of  their  liberality,  and  even 
prayers  to  receive  their  gifts,  and  take  upon  us 
the  care  of  miniftering  to  the  relief  of  thofe, 
who  are  famiftiing  for  the  bread  of  life. 

What  if  the  miffionary  field  be  wide  ? This 
prefents  an  animating  motive,  rather  than  a dif- 
couraging  obftacle.  The  profpect  of  the  falva- 
tion  of  millions  fhould  awaken  our  defires  and 
endeavors,  to  civilize  thofe  who  are  not  civiliz- 
ed, and  gofpclize  thofe  who  are  not  gofpelized, 
through  this  widely  extended  continent.  The 
United  States  are  abundantly  able,  in  refpect  to 
numbers  and  wealth,  to  fpread  the  gofpel  through 
all  North  and  South  America.  And  we  were. 


[ 31  3 

there  is  reafon  to  believe,  raifed  up  and  formed 
into  a civil  and  religious  community,  to  perform 
this  fervice  for  God,  in  grateful  return  for  his 
diftinguilhing  and  protc&ing  mercy,  f 

But  where,  fome  may  alk,  (hall  we  find  men 
of  a truly  miflionary  fpirit,  who  will  freely  facri- 
ficc  their  eafe,  their  intereft,  their  health,  and 
even  their  lives,  to  carry  the  gofpel  to  the 
poor  in  our  new  fettlements,  and  to  the  favages 
in  the  wildernefs  ? This,  we  acknowledge,  is 
the  greateft  apparent  difficulty  to  be  expelled 
and  to  be  furmounted,  in  the  bufinefs  before  us. 
But  this  we  may  fafely  refer  to  God.  It  is  his 
to  provide  inftruments  to  do  his  own  work. 
But  if  the  harveft  be  plenteous,  and  the  laborers 
few,  it  is  ours  to  pray  the  Lord  of  the  harveft, 
to  fend  forth  laborers  into  his  harveft.  And 
.may  we  not  cheerfully  confide  in  him,  who  hath 
formed  fo  many  miflionary  foeieties  in  New- 
York,  Conne&icut,  and  Maffachufetts,  to  raife 
up  a fufficient  number  of  pious,  zealous,  bold 
miflionaries,  to  carry  their  pious  and  important 
defign  into  effect  ? < 

But  let  us  turn  from  the  dark  to  the  bright 
fide  of  the  work,  in  which  we  have  publicly  en- 
gaged. What  if  the  fet  time  to  favor  Zion 
fhould  be  at  hand  ? What  if  there  fhould  be 
a general  effufion  of  the  divine  fpirit  upon 
all  our  religious  foeieties  ? What  if  the  attention 


C 3*  3 

or  both  mmillers  and  people  every  where,  ihouid 
be  awakened  to  the  object  we  are  purfuing,  and 
they  Ihouid,  like  the  men  of  Ifrael,  fall  in  to  our 
ailiftance  in  abundance  ? What  if  the  numerous 
inhabitants  in  the  new  fettlements  Ihouid  gen- 
erally be  formed  into  large  and  flourifhing 
churches  ? What  if  the  poor  heathens  Ihouid 
have  an  opportunity  and  a heart  to  embrace  the 
goipel  ? In  a word,  what  if  this  whole  conti- 
nent fhould  be  both  civilized  and  gofpelized, 
through  the  inftrumentality  of  this  and  other 
millionary  focieties  ? Who  would  not  have  rea- 
* fon  to  rejoice  ? And  who  would  have  more  rea- 
fon  to  rejoice,  than  thofe,  who  were  the  moll 
ilncere,  aflive,  bold,  and  zealous  in  bringing 
about  fuch  happy  events  ? Thefe  are  not  imagin- 
ary profpecls.  If  God  intends  to  make  us  a 
happy i he  will  make  us  a holy  people  ; and  if  he 
intends  to  make  us  a holy  people,  he  will  employ 
the  proper  means  to  effccl  his  purpofe.'  Let  us, 
then,  my  brethren,  take  courage  ; let  our  hearts 
and  hands  be  llrong  ; for  there  arc  certainly 
profoe&s  within  our  view,  which,  whether  re- 
alized, either  before,  or  after  we  are  laid  in  the 
dull,  will  abundantly  reward  us,  for  all  that  we 
can  do,  to  build  up  the  kingdom  of  our  Divine 
Redeemer. 


A BRIEF  ABSTRACT 


PROCEEDINGS  and  FUND 


or  THE 

MASSACHUSETTS  MISS  ION  ART  SOCIETT. 

An  impreffion  of  the  importance  of  the 
knowledge  of  the  gofpel  of  Chrift  to  the  prefent 
interefts,  and  especially  to  the  future  Salvation,  of 
men,  and  a folicitude  for  thofe  portions  of  the 
human  race  which  are  either  partially  or  totally 
deftitute  of  this  knowledge,  originated  the  Mas- 
sachusetts missionary  society.  It  was  infti- 
tuted  in  1799  ; and,  at  its  firft  meeting.  May  28, 
in  that  year,  it  conftfted  of  thirty-eight  members. 
Its  conftitution  was,  foon  after,  publifhed,  with 
an  addrefs  to  all  chriftians  defirous  of  the  propa- 
gation of  the  gofpel,  foliciting  their  ferious  atten- 
tion to  the  object  contemplated  by  the  fociety. 
This  object  is  declared,  in  the  conftitution,  to  be, 
*c  to  diffufe  the  knowledge  of  the  gofpel  among 
the  heathens,  as  well  as  other  people  in  the  re- 
mote parts  of  our  country,  where  Christ  is  fel- 
dom  or  never  preached.”  A fmall  fund  was 
raifed  by  the  contribution  of  the  members  of  the 
fociety  and  of  others  ; and  feveral  minifters 
were  chofen  to  form  a million  to  the  frontiers 
of  the  United  States.  Obftacles  prevented  the 
elecled  miffionaries  from  engaging  in  the  Service* 


[ 34  ] 


The  fuccefs  of  the  inftitution,  however,  fo  far  as 
it  relates  to  the  acceffion  of  members,  and  an  ac- 
cumulation of  the  fund,  has  been  fully  equal  to 
the  expectations  of  the  focicty.  At  the  annual 
meeting,  on  the  27th  of  laft  May,  it  appeared, 
that  the  whole  number  of  members  was  one  hun- 
dred and  nineteen  ; and  the  fund  amounts  to  up- 
wards of  a thoufand  dollars,  and  is  incrcaling 
both  from  the  annual  contributions  of  its  mem- 
bers, and  the  liberal  donations  of  the  pious  and 
liberal. 

Encouraged  by  its  augmented  refourccs,  the 
fociety,  at  their  laft  meeting,  voted  to  employ 
four  miflionaries,  the  enfuing  fuminer,  to  com- 
mence a ferious  execution  of  its  defign.  Four 
ordained  minifters  were,  accordingly,  elected  for 
the  million.  Two  of  whom,  by  direftion  of  the 
truftecs,  are  deftined  for  the  Province  of  Maine, 
and  two  for  the  weftern  frontiers. 

Ought  not  the  fmiies'  of  the  Great  Head  of 
the  church  on  the  firft  efforts  of  the  fociety  to 
be  religioufly  and  gratefully  acknowledged  as  a 
token  for  good  ? Ought  they  not  to  ftimulatc 
chriftians  to  afford  the  inftitution  the  concurrent 
aids  of  their  pecuniary  contribution,  of  their 
pcrfonal  influence,  of  their  prayers,  and  of  their 
zealous  exertions  ? But  we  are  anticipating  what 
docs  not  properly  belong  to  this  ftatement  of 
facts.  The  motives  for  giving  the  fociety  a 


C 35  3 

prompt  and  pious  patronage  are  fully  exhibited 
in  the  fubjoined  Addrefs.  May  the  perufal  of  it 
excite  in  the  bofoms  of  its  readers  that  fpirit  of 
chriftian  philanthropy  and  charity,  \vhich  will 
infure  their  co-operation  in  promoting  the  be- 
nevolent purpoles  of  the  fociety,  and  caufe  the 
blcjfmg  of  many  that  are  ready  to  perijh  to  come  upon 
them  ! 

June  24,  1800. 


OFFICERS . 


The  officers  of  the  fociety,  for  the  enfuing 
year,  are  ; 


Rev.  NATHANIEL  EMMONS,  d.  d.  President, 
Rev.  SAMUEL  AUSTIN,  Secretary. 


Deacon  JOHN  SIMPKINS,  Treasurer. 

Rev.  MeJJ’rs.  DAVID  SANFORD, 
DANIEL  HOPKINS, 
EZRA  WELD, 

SAMUEL  SPRING, 
SAMUEL  NILES, 
JOSEPH  BARKER, 
SAMUEL  AUSTIN, 
ARIEL  HOLMES, 
JONATHAN  STRONG,  , 


Trustees. 


V •./  — ••  r ••  <* 

■ 

t 

’ ■ : 


' 

— J 

s 

• 

. 

AN 


ADDRESS  to  7HE  PUBLIC. 


MEN,  BRETHREN,  AND  FATHERS, 

The  charitable  objeft  of  the  Massachu- 
setts missionary  society  is  the  only  apology 
for  this  friendly  addrefs.  For,  to  difiufe  the 
knowledge  of  the  gofpel  among  the  heathen  and 
other  people  almoft  deftitute  of  it,  manifeftly 
correfponds  with  the  command  of  Christ,  and 
the  benevolence  of  his  difciples. 

Alas,  how  dark  the  moral  ftate  of  the  world 
from  Adam  to  the  Savior  ! Flow  dark  alfo  the 
period  from  the  chriftian  era  to  the  prefent  time  ! 
For  though  it  is  computed  that  the  earth  con- 
tains eight  hundred  millions  of  human  inhabitants, 
we  find  but  fifty  millions  on  the  proteftant  lift, 
and  nearly  five  hundred  millions  on  the  lift  of 
benighted  Pagans.  Jews,  Mahometans,  and  oth- 
ers, whofe  religious  theory  is  diverfe  from  the 
gofpel,  comprifethe  reft.  The  flock  of  Christ 
has  always  been  fmall  : and  Zion  ftill  mourns 
becaufe  but  few  celebrate  her  folemn  feafts. 


C 38  ] 

But,  let  us  paufe  a moment.  How  long  {hall 
this  dark  period  of  the  church  continue  ? Shall 
the  adverfary  control  the  human  race  till  the 
final  confummation  ? Is  this  the  decree  of  the  Al- 
might y ? We  do  not  thus  read  the  fcriptures. 
We  rather  believe  Satan  will  fliortly  lofe  his  ma- 
lignant influence,  and  that  all  nations  will  em- 
brace the  Lord  Jesus.  Remembering  then,  that 
Zion’s  God  directs  all  the  revolutions  of  king- 
doms and  empires  ; that  the  hearts  of  all  men 
are  in  his  hand,  wc  cannot  but  thankfully  notice 
the  chriftian  charity  and  zeal  which  have  lately 
originated  and  endowed  fo  many  Mi/Jionary  Socie- 
ties, both  in  Europe  and  America,  as  a precious 
token  for  good.  To  the  eye  of  faith  there  is, 
at  this  revolutionary  period,  at  this  birth-day  of 
interefting  events,  a peculiar  concurrence  of  di- 
vine operations  to  haften  the  promifed  time  when 
the  wildernefs  J, hall  bloffom  as  the  rofe , and  the  whole 
world  be  Jilled  with  the  glory  of  falvation.  While, 
therefore,  we  expect  the  rapid  wheels  of  provi- 
dence will  foon  introduce  the  joyful  days  of 
Zion,  fhall  not  the  followers  of  the  lamb  gird  up 
their  loins  and  double  their  diligence  ? If  we 
wifh  to  difpel  the  fatal  ignorance  which  broods 
over  the  minds  of  millions  of  the  wretched  na- 
tives ; if  we  with  to  arm  our  infant  fettlements 
againft  the  increafing  powers  of  infidelity  ; in 
one  word,  if  we  fupremcly  love  the  glory  of  God 
in  the  falvation  of  fouls,  let  us  harmonize  with 
the  fpirit  of  gofpel  millions  : For  until  the  elect 


[ 39  ] 

fhall  be  gathered,  or  Christ  {hall  recal  his  fer- 
vants  from  their  labors,  this  command,  “ Preach 
the  gofpcl  to  every  creature  ” will  remain  in  full 
force.  Inftead  of  dreaming,  like  idle  men,  that 
there  is  a lion  in  the  way,  let  us  advance  in  the 
name  of  the  Lord,  and  remove  every  difficulty, 
and  furmount  every  obftacle.  By  perfonal  exer- 
tions, merely,  we  can  do  nothing  ; but  by  the 
gracious  influence  of  the  Almighty  we  can  do 
all  things  : For  the  Lord  effects  the  purpofesof 
his  grace,  not  by  the  wifdom  and  power  of  man, 
but  by  the  energy  of  his  holy  Spirit.  If  we  em- 
brace Christ  to  conduct  and  fupport  us,  we 
have  nothing  to  fear  but  our  own  declenfion. 
Oppofition  will  fly  before  us,  and  mountains 
become  plains.  Let  not  the  day  of  fmall  things 
be  defpifed. 

Let  preachers  of  the  gofpel  who  are  belt  qual- 
ified for  miffionaries,  accept  the  elevated  office, 
and  magnify  it  from  end  to  end  of  our  extenfive 
and  deftitute  territory.  Let  our  brethren,  both 
in  the  city  and  country,  who  poflefs  property, 
poflefs  alfo  charitable  hearts,  and  improve  their 
riches  by  fupporting  faithful  millions,  till  the 
. wildernei's  fhall  bow  before  the  king  of  Zion  : For 
what  qualified  miffionaries  can  quit  their  domef- 
tic  and  parochial  connexions,  and  fpend  their 
time,  and  exhauft  their  ftrength,  among  the  re- 
mote fettlements  without  incurring  heavy  ex- 
penfe  ? The  laborer  is  worthy  of  his  hire  ; and 


C 40  ] 


to  fupport  the  moft  ufeful  millions  we  muff  be 
furnifhed  with  anfwerable  funds.  But  the  earth 
is  the  Lord’s  and  the  fulnefs  thereof  : and  we 
willingly  believe  that  he  will  open  the  hearts  of 
rich  men  and  fpeedily  furnifh  pecuniary  means 
to  ej'eft  gofpel  churches  beyond  the  Weftern 
mountains  and  lakes,  where  the  perifhing  natives 
are  offering  facrifices  to  devils.  Prayer  and  pe- 
cuniary aid  are  both  neceffary  to  carry  into  effect 
the  noble  delign  of  millionary  focieties  : And  is 
it  podible  for  the  work  to  fail  while  chriftians 
pray  fervently  for  its  fuccefs,  and  men  of  prop- 
erty love  the  fouls  of  their  fellow  mortals  ? 
How  eafy  for  a fmall  number  of  men,  who  pof- 
fefs  but  a common  fhare  of  property,  to  fupport 
feveral  miffionaries  from  year  to  year  ? A thou- 
land  dollars  only  of  gofpel  charity  will  furnilh 
much  bread  for  ftarving  fouls  in  the  wilder nefs. 

While  the  focicty  wrifely  improves  dona- 
tions, and  generoufly^  rewards  faithful  miflion- 
aries,  why  fhall  not  our  fund  increafe  like  a 
river  which  is  fupplied  by  thoufands  of  brooks 
and  unremitting  fprings  ? All  good  men  love  to 
do  good  and  to  communicate.  For  it  is  more 
bieffed  to  give  than  it  is  to  receive.  Let  the 
children  of  profperity,  therefore,  take  the  advan- 
tage of  their  property,  and  devote  a fmall  lharc 
of  it,  at  lead,  to  ornament  the  temple  of  falva- 
tion.  Let  them  give  a portion  to  feven  and  alfo 
to  eight.  Money  devoted  to  the  millionary  fund 


C 41  ] 

is  io  much  precious  property  previoufly  lodged 
in  the  bank  of  heaven.  Christ  loves  and  will 
bountifully  reward  the  cheerful  giver.  A fmglc 
cent  of  gofpel  charity  in  Christ’s  eftimation,  is 
more  valuable  than  mines  of  fdver  and  gold  in 
the  contracted  hands  of  felfilhnefs.  Shall  we 
then  be  remifs  while  the  falvation  of  thoufands 
depends  on  miffionary  exertions  ? Shall  we  not 
commiferate  the  vaft  number  of  children  who 
never  faw  the  bible,  nor  any  of  Christ’s  minif- 
ters  ? Shall  we  be  attentive  to  objects  of  the 
leaft  importance,  and  negleft  thofe  of  the  greateft 
importance  ? Shall  we  be  out-done  by  the  men 
of  the  world  ? Shall  the  mifer  painfully  pene- 
trate the  bowels  of  the  earth  in  queft  of  glitter- 
ing dull  ? Shall  the  merchant  meet  every  danger 
of  the  elements  both  at  home  and  abroad,  to  ac- 
cumulate wealth  ? Shall  the  emulous  fons  of  fei- 
ence  wafte  the  midnight  lamp  and  even  life 
itfelf  to  regiftcr  their  names  among  the  literati  ? 
Shall  Columbus  and  other  navigators  quit  their 
native  fhores  and  explore  the  globe  amidft  all 
the  inclemency  of  the  feafons,  and  other  indeferib- 
able  dangers,  to  difeover  a new  fpot  of  land  to  per- 
petuate their  names  ? Shall  kingdoms  and  em- 
pires be  depopulated,  {hall  millions  of  the  human 
race  bleed  and  die  to  procure  the  victor’s  laurel  ? 
Shall  the  greateft  efforts  be  made  and  the  greateft 
fufferings  be  endured  for  nothing,  and  {hall  we 
neglect  the  falvation  of  immortal  fouls  ? Shall 
chriftians  be  furpaffed  in  exertions  by  the  chib 


F 


[ 42  ] 

dren  of  this  world  ? No.  Let  us  then  turn  the 
tables  and  be  influenced  by  the  example  of  enter- 
prifing  miflionaries.  Shall  the  unwearied  Jefuits 
fly  from  weft  to  eaft  and  eaft  to  weft,  thoufands 
of  leagues  to  profelyte  the  pagans  ? Shall  the 
benevolent  and  pioufly  enterprifing  Moravians 
explore  the  northern  regions, and  bleed  and  freeze 
and  die  to  warm  and  comfort  the  hearts  of  the 
poor  heathen,  with  divine  love  and  grace  ? Shall 
Elliot,  Braimrd  and  ethers  of  congenial  fouls  for- 
ever wear  the  fparklmg  crowns  which  they 
earned  among  the  native  tribes  ? Shall  Britifh 
chriftians,  at  the  prefent  day,  bear  the  glad  tid- 
ings of  grace  to  the  other  fide  of  the  world  ? 
Shall  all  thefe  and  many  more  examples  be  pre- 
fented  to  our  view  in  vain  ? In  one  word,  Shall 
Christ  die  to  give  us  an  opportunity  to  pro- 
mote the  falvation  of  man,  and  fhall  we  remain 
indolent  and  let  them  be  loft  forever  ? God  for- 
bid. For  how,  alas,  can  we  efcape,  if  we  negleft 
the  means  in  our  power,  of  promoting  the  great 
falvation  of  others  ? Let  us  then  fhow  ourfelves 
men,  and  act  according  to  truth.  What  would 
be  the  duty  of  the  heathen  were  we  in  their 
condition  and  they  in  ours  ? Suppofe  the  change 
to  be  actually  made  ! fuppofe  them  now  cloth- 
ed with  gofpel  advantages,  and  we  deftitute. 
Would  it  be  their  duty  to  blefs  us?  Shall  we 
not  then  blefs  them  ? For  the  golden  rule  is  di- 
vine, and  muft  be  adopted  in  order  to  meet  the 
folemn  procefs  of  the  great  day  with  confolation. 


[ 43  ] 

Blefled  are  thofe  who  love  the  fouls  of  others  as 
they  ought  to  love  their  own,  for  they  will  be  ap- 
proved by  their  Judge.  But  how  ihall  others 
who  neglect  to  furnilli  the  deftitute  with  gofpel 
advantages,  endure  the  criterion  which  Christ 
will  finally  adopt  ? For  to  neglect  the  falvation 
of  fouls,  is  to  neglect  and  diiregard  the  Savior. 
The  faithful  only  will  finally  receive  the  crown 
of  eternal  life  ; but  how  can  men  be  faithful 
who  knowingly  neglect  their  advantages  to 
fpread  the  knowledge  of  falvation  among  the 
deftitute  ? “ Go  out  and  compel  them  to  come 
in  that  my  houfe  may  be  filled,”  is  the  unalter- 
able injunction  of  divine  'grace.  With  this  the 
apoftles  uniformly  complied,  and  were  they  to 
revifit  the  world,  neither  the  heathen  tribes,  nor 
any  other  deftitute  people  would  be  neglected. 
Every  quarter  of  the  globe,  the  molt  folitary 
places  not  excepted,  would  v/itnefs  the  pungent 
inftructions  of  Paul,  the  burning  zeal  of  Peter, 
and  the  divine  eloquence  of  Apollos,  Faithful 
men  ! ample  reward  ! 

Now  chriftian  friends  and  fellow  mortal;,  are 
thefe  things  interefting  ? The  reprefentation  we 
confefs  is  manifeftly  inadequate  to  the  object. 
The  one  half  is  not  told  ; but  the  path  of  duty  is 
plain  to  thofe  who  are  willing  to  embrace  it. 
The  field  is  wide,  the  work  is  great,  and  the 
encouragement  is  moft  excellent.  If  we  feek 
the  Lord  we  Ihall  find  him  ; If  -we  devoutly 


L ^ 3 

acknowledge  him  in  our  charitable  attempt  to 
diffuie  the  knowledge  of  the  gofpcl,  he  v ill 
guide  and  fupport  us. 

While  then  the  members  of  the  fociety  will 
punctually  and  faithfully  attend  the  bufinefs  of 
I the  annual  meeting  according  to  the  fpirit  of  the 
conftitution  ; and  while  the  truftees  and  miffion- 
aries,  it  is  hoped,  will  act  anfwerably  to  the  re- 
pofed  confidence,  fhall  we  not  expect  God  s 
blefling  ? Shall  we  not  experience  the  charity 
and  realize  the  liberal  donations  of  Zion’s  friends 
who  are  not  members  of  the  fociety  ? Fervent 
prayers  and  generous  donations  are  particularly 
neceffary  to  fupport  the  caufe  which  we  advo- 
cate. Will  a gracious  God  own  and  blefs  the 
fociety,  and  make  it  extenfively  ufeful  to  the 
fouls  of  men,  and  plentifully  reward  its  benefac- 
tors, and  fill  the  world  with  the  glory  of  his 
great  name. 


OsJ. 


